Moms Tell Us What the Few Days With Baby Are Really Like

You've waited months and now baby is home, but what happens next? Moms in the What to Expect community shared what those first few days with baby were really like. They say that while those first days are exhausting, they are even more incredible. And what got them through? Asking for help and looking at their beautiful babies. So if you are worried about sleepless nights, or have already been there, you need to see these:

"For me, I was on such a high from life. There is no feeling like it. Yes, you are tired and exhausted, but you’re just so in love." — Dreigel10

"I was running on adrenaline. There was no concept of day vs. night. You’re just up whenever the baby needs. I slept overnight for 2-3 hours at a time. I didn’t really follow the ‘sleep when baby sleeps’ advice because I just felt like there was so much to do those first few days. I think I googled something every 20 minutes because everything is new… My husband helped by changing diapers and basically just getting me anything I asked for. I had a c-section. So I sat on our couch with my feet up for pretty much the first week I was home." — Rbusch16

"I loved both of my postpartum periods. The secret is to not get worked up because your newborn won't follow a sleep schedule immediately or wants to be held all the time. That is totally NORMAL. My main advice as a soon-to-be third-time mom is to just follow baby's lead… The newborn stage is far too precious and short to spend it in hysterics because baby won't do what you want him to do... This is such a beautiful, fleeting time in your life. Enjoy it, try not to worry about things that have yet to happen, and take things one day at a time." — ChiPK14

"It's a balancing act. I am so obsessed with my little nugget... I love snuggling her and I can't get enough of rubbing my face on hers and looking at her expressions. On the other hand, getting used to breastfeeding is a full-time job. Basically, it’s a cycle of nursing, burping, pumping, cleaning pump parts, and trying to get something done before it starts all over again. Baby does get fussy at night, and I am also paranoid about her sleep at night … Through the haze and exhaustion, it is still amazing to look at this little perfect person that you made." — DunderMifflin20

"The first week honestly hasn’t been too bad, but I haven’t slept more than about four hours a day! It’s been hard to sleep when baby sleeps because I’m watching and listening for her. It’s a different kind of being exhausted. You probably won’t notice how exhausted you really are because you mentally know you have to do it for baby." — g.hub768

"They can be rough, but your body adjusts. You’ll be amazed at how well you can function on 3-4 (collective) hours of sleep. And like everyone else says, it’s SO worth it. My only advice is to listen to your body and heart, don’t take visitors or travel around more than you have to. Allow yourself to feel your anxiousness and cry it out, if you need to. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it, and nothing is wrong with you. You’re going to be exhausted on top of healing and learning to be a first-time mom, it’s a crazy transition, but it’s so worth it looking at your perfect baby and being able to love on them." — karlikw

"Yes, it seems overwhelming. And it can be tough when you're right in the thick of things. But you can do it. And it is so worth it. And right when you think that you are at your limit or you're in over your head, your baby will look up at you with that adoring look on their face and all the frustration and fatigue will just melt away because you love that little bundle so much." — XiaoMin

"You and your baby are strangers getting to know each other. So, it can be hard at first. My first few weeks home with my first baby were rough, but it got easier… I knew it would be hard. but the first 10 days were harder than I could have imagined... What I can say though is it is extremely short-lived. The days pass quickly, and before I knew it things were much better. Not easy, but way better and so worth it… I just spent those first days sleeping whenever the baby slept. If you can get help from anywhere definitely do—to bring food, help keep the house clean, help with feeding." — VnessaG

"You’re just SO in love and obsessed with your baby. I remember my baby falling asleep at night, and I’d just stay up for hours holding him and looking at him." -- chilipeppah

"I was so hormonal. I kept crying all the time. I loved my baby but was exhausted, and overwhelmed, and just kept crying for no reason. The first night I was home I couldn’t sleep at all because I was so scared… My mom came and stayed the second night, which helped so much." -- jodb2015

Note: Baby blues, feeling sad and overwhelemed, in the days after birth is totally normal and experienced by an estimated 70 to 80 percent of new moms. But if those feelings continue for more than two to three weeks, you may have Postpartum Depression, which is totally treatable. If you are feeling sad, irritable or anxious, contact your doctor. The following resources offer more information and support if you (or someone you know) may be suffering from PPD:

This story is meant to reflect individual contributors' experiences and does not necessarily reflect What to Expect's point of view. This content is not intended to be used as medical advice, for diagnosis, or treatment.